Work Trauma: How Corporations Really Work

The Corporate Culture SCAM: How Companies MANIPULATE You with Gurus, Loyalty, and Purpose

Are corporate culture programs truly about improving the workplace, or are they a strategic MANIPULATION to make employees work harder for the benefit of executives? In this episode of the Work Trauma Podcast, we expose the hidden truths behind leadership gurus, engagement programs, and corporate culture initiatives that claim to "empower" employees—but often serve as a smoke screen for executive self-preservation. Host Michael Denisoff dives into:

• The guru industrial complex and why some leadership experts are frauds
• Why corporate culture programs often distract from real workplace issues
• How companies weaponize employee engagement to extract more work
• The social contract of employment—what companies owe workers vs. reality
• Why you don’t owe loyalty to a company that wouldn’t hesitate to fire you

The SCAM Behind "Best Places to Work" & Business Rankings EXPOSED!

Are "Best Places to Work" rankings legit, or is it all just corporate propaganda? In this episode of the Work Trauma Podcast, Michael Denisoff uncovers the truth behind workplace rankings, how business media manipulates narratives, and why corporate awards are often pay-to-play scams. We break down:

• How companies rig their rankings
• The role of business media in pushing false narratives
• Why corporate culture isn’t what it seems
• What Glassdoor & LinkedIn reviews don’t tell you
• The shocking parallels between Enron, WeWork, Theranos, and FTX

 

 DON’T GET FOOLED! Do your own research before trusting corporate lists.

Why We HATE HR | TOXIC Workplaces, BAD Leadership & the TRUTH About Human Resources

Is HR really as bad as we think? In this episode of Work Trauma: How Corporations Really Work, host Michael Denisoff dives into the deep-rooted issues with Human Resources in corporate America. From outdated paradigms to ineffective leadership, we explore why HR still struggles nearly 20 years after Fast Company’s infamous “Why We Hate HR” article. Key Topics Covered:

• Why HR often fails employees and executives alike
• The most common (and frustrating) HR archetypes
• How corporate policies and legal complexities make HR ineffective
• What great HR should actually look like
• Why most CEOs don’t know what to do with HR

Why Leaders STRUGGLE in Decision-Making: The Illusions, Confusions & Delusions of Corporate Culture

In this episode of Work Trauma: How Corporations Really Work, host Michael Dennison dives into the messy truth of decision-making in organizations. We explore:

• The illusion of leadership confidence
• Why executives prioritize self-preservation over company success
• The 12 ways managers dodge decisions
• The myth of "consensus" and how it stalls progress
• How to build a workplace culture that fosters real, strategic decision-making.
• Whether you're a leader, manager, or just fed up with corporate dysfunction, this episode reveals the power struggles, delays, and self-serving tactics happening behind closed doors

Have a work horror story? Drop it in the comments!

Why the Work Trauma Podcast is Important

This introductory episode explains the why and what behind the Work Trauma: How Corporations Really Work podcast.

The Work Trauma Podcast provides an accurate and unfiltered view into how corporations truly work.  We think we know how corporations work but do we really know?  We are told how they work through carefully crafted narratives, corporate videos and promotional campaigns.  However, the truth how companies work is a very different story.  (Please note these observations mainly apply to large corporations.)

Why is this Podcast Needed: The Work Trauma Podcast pulls away the curtain so you can see how corporations really work so 1- we can start to build better companies 2- you can better navigate the realities of your organization and manage your career and life.

Who should listen to this Podcast:   Anyone who works at a large corporation and wants to make a difference in their career/life choices and improve the organizations where they work.  CEOs who truly want to do it right.  Consultants, Organizational Development Leaders and the like who strive to create a better work environment.  Anyone who wants to laugh instead of cry regarding the state of how companies are run.

Why Are There So Many Bad CEO's

Is it me or are there a sizable number of bad executives in these large corporations? No, its not you, it’s them. Seriously, there are a lot of  truly bad executives out there running things while still keeping their jobs.  How is that possible?

The Lack of Good Managers in Corporations

After all these years of training programs why is there still a dearth of good managers and leaders in corporations?  I'll bet you have had way more terrible bosses than good ones.  How can this still be the case?

Power Dynamics and Posturing at Work

Power moves, positioning and playing “the game”---I’m exhausted and may have threw up in my mount a little bit.  But one must learn how these play into your work experience to be successful and stay sane.